1. Under each of the six categories, shelter, health, water, education, energy and transport, choose one project which interests you. For each category, describe how it is designed to alleviate poverty for the project's stakeholders.
Shelter—Global Village Shelters
Global Village Shelters are emergency shelters that are constructed from biodegradable materials (Cooper-Hewitt 2010).They are a low cost effective way to provide people with some form of shelter during a disaster situation. These shelters have been used in different parts of the world. Most recently it was used during the Hurricane Katrina crisis. This was designed to temporarily alleviate poverty because during times where disaster hits there is little time to react. Especially with natural disasters it is inevitable that people will lose homes therefore there has to be alternative ways to accommodate families. Although the Global Village Shelters are temporary ways to provide shelter, in some cases families have to call this “home” until they are able to find a new one.
Health—PermaNet
PermaNet is a vital product for people living in areas riddled with mosquitoes in order to prevent malaria. These nets are important for the survival of many people living in parts of the world including Africa, India, China, North Korea, and Haiti. These nets can last to up to four years, which is more than any other net on the market (Cooper-Hewitt 2010). I believe that this is a design to help people with horrible living conditions survive from disease.
Water—LifeStraw
This design alleviates poverty because safe drinking water is extremely hard to come by when living in poor areas of the world. Waterborne diseases are one of the biggest problems in third world countries. Without safe drinking water diseases such as cholera and dysentery kill more then 6000 people each day (Cooper-Hewitt 2010). The LifeStraw provides a way to purify water and prevent disease.
Education—One Laptop per Child
This design helps alleviate poverty by finding a way to provide education to children. This experiment provides ways in educating and informing children and adults through the use of the Internet. It uses the technology of mesh computing to connect to surrounding networks. The design is made of durable material and keeps environmental conditions in mind.
Energy—Solar Aid
Solar Aid is a way of providing a battery charger to hearing aids. This alleviates poverty because it allows people with hearing disabilities a better way to live especially those going to school. Batteries can become extremely expensive. The Solar Aid enables people to charge hearing aids without the use of electricity.
Transport— Q-Drum
The Q-drum is a unique device that allows the transport of water. People have to carry heavy loads of water from one place to another especially in the rural areas of Africa (Cooper-Hewitt 2010). The design makes water easy to carry because of its shape. This alleviates poverty by providing a safe way to transport clean water.
2. How does stakeholder analysis enable sustainable and socially responsible design?
With the stakeholder analysis we are able to evaluate people who stand to lose or gain something with the design. By looking at these components we are able to see what the stakeholder wants and what they need. When coming up with a design it is important to keep in mind the problem being solved. From there, researchers or designers should take note of what people need from the actual people that will be using the product. This provides an accurate interpretation of what the stakeholder needs in the design.
3. List five characteristics of socially responsible product design.
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Design helps to sustain life
- Meet the needs of the consumer
Lab 2
1. Under each of the six categories, shelter, health, water, education, energy and transport, choose one project which interests you. For each category, describe how it is designed to alleviate poverty for the project's stakeholders.Shelter—Global Village Shelters
Global Village Shelters are emergency shelters that are constructed from biodegradable materials (Cooper-Hewitt 2010). They are a low cost effective way to provide people with some form of shelter during a disaster situation. These shelters have been used in different parts of the world. Most recently it was used during the Hurricane Katrina crisis. This was designed to temporarily alleviate poverty because during times where disaster hits there is little time to react. Especially with natural disasters it is inevitable that people will lose homes therefore there has to be alternative ways to accommodate families. Although the Global Village Shelters are temporary ways to provide shelter, in some cases families have to call this “home” until they are able to find a new one.
Health—PermaNet
PermaNet is a vital product for people living in areas riddled with mosquitoes in order to prevent malaria. These nets are important for the survival of many people living in parts of the world including Africa, India, China, North Korea, and Haiti. These nets can last to up to four years, which is more than any other net on the market (Cooper-Hewitt 2010). I believe that this is a design to help people with horrible living conditions survive from disease.
Water—LifeStraw
This design alleviates poverty because safe drinking water is extremely hard to come by when living in poor areas of the world. Waterborne diseases are one of the biggest problems in third world countries. Without safe drinking water diseases such as cholera and dysentery kill more then 6000 people each day (Cooper-Hewitt 2010). The LifeStraw provides a way to purify water and prevent disease.
Education—One Laptop per Child
This design helps alleviate poverty by finding a way to provide education to children. This experiment provides ways in educating and informing children and adults through the use of the Internet. It uses the technology of mesh computing to connect to surrounding networks. The design is made of durable material and keeps environmental conditions in mind.
Energy—Solar Aid
Solar Aid is a way of providing a battery charger to hearing aids. This alleviates poverty because it allows people with hearing disabilities a better way to live especially those going to school. Batteries can become extremely expensive. The Solar Aid enables people to charge hearing aids without the use of electricity.
Transport— Q-Drum
The Q-drum is a unique device that allows the transport of water. People have to carry heavy loads of water from one place to another especially in the rural areas of Africa (Cooper-Hewitt 2010). The design makes water easy to carry because of its shape. This alleviates poverty by providing a safe way to transport clean water.
2. How does stakeholder analysis enable sustainable and socially responsible design?
With the stakeholder analysis we are able to evaluate people who stand to lose or gain something with the design. By looking at these components we are able to see what the stakeholder wants and what they need. When coming up with a design it is important to keep in mind the problem being solved. From there, researchers or designers should take note of what people need from the actual people that will be using the product. This provides an accurate interpretation of what the stakeholder needs in the design.
3. List five characteristics of socially responsible product design.
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Design helps to sustain life
- Meet the needs of the consumer
Bibliography
Cooperhewitt.org. 2010. Design for the other 90%. 16 January 2010 < http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/>